In the dead of night, deep within the dense woods south of the Fresher Meet Village, Kora Veyne crouched silently in the crook of a tall tree. She hadn't moved a muscle in hours.
Her body was locked in place—not from fear, but from necessity. One wrong move would unravel the two spells cloaking her: Chimaeric Camouflage and Mana Shroud.
She had watched every moment of Vann Hooper and his team's arrival, their bickering, and their eventual retreat. The team's inability to track her down only validated her choice to flee.
But Vann's final warning still echoed in her ears:
"Consider this your lucky day. If you ever come near the village again, I'll be prepared."
She didn't take such things lightly. Anything she disliked was automatically a threat.
You're on the list now, Vann Hooper, she thought coldly. Next time, I won't just run.
Kora's mind swirled with thoughts.
